WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The father of the Kansas man who was flying a helicopter missing in Nepal says he is confident his son will be found OK.

Richard Norgren said Wednesday his 31-year-old son, Capt. Chris Norgren, was flying the U.S. Marine helicopter that disappeared Tuesday while delivering disaster aid to earthquake victims. The helicopter was carrying six Marines and two Nepalese soldiers.

He says Marine Corps officials came to the family’s house in Wichita to inform him and his wife that their son was missing and reassured them there are no indications the aircraft crashed.

Norgren says his son is a smart kid with degrees in aerospace engineering and mathematics.

He says his son is a survivor and that is why he believes he will make it back.